Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia Holidays

A beautiful island perched off the edge of the Italian mainland, Sardinia
combines a warm climate, gorgeous natural scenery and a rich history, making it
the ideal
romantic holiday destination. It is especially famous for its sheltered
white sand beaches and turquoise waters, making it the perfect place for those
seeking a traditional
beach holiday.
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and it’s perhaps
Italy’s best kept secret for those who are not yet in the know. Sardinia is
located in the Mediterranean with Italy to its right, Spain to its left and the
French island of Corsica to the north.

The larger towns, such as Cagliari, have a vibrant atmosphere, offering a
buzzing nightlife and excellent shopping, while the smaller places are quieter
and more peaceful. The centre of the island is more mountainous, making it
perfect for those who love to explore dramatic natural scenery, while the island
is also dotted with numerous Bronze Age monuments, for those who want to explore
history during their holiday. Culture here is quintessentially Italian – top
notch food, fine wine, friendly people and unbeatable hospitality – but
Sardinians as islanders have their own very unique charm. Sardinians are known
for their loving nature and wherever you end up on your Sardinian adventure,
you’ll be met with warmth and kindness.

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Sardinia, Italy Holidays

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Location

The island is large and situated off the Italian mainland in the Mediterranean Sea. It has almost 2000 kilometres of beautiful coastline, dotted with sandy beaches and fascinating marine caves, the centre of the island is more mountainous and is populated by impressive national parks. The capital of the island is the port town of Cagliari, a beautiful harbour town located on the sea. It is also famous for the large number of Bronze Age buildings and graves that are found throughout the island. Sardinia is fairly big with a population of around 1.6 million people.

Weather

Sardinia enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is in the summer months of June, July and August, where the temperature averages in the mid-twenties and the seas around the island are equally hot. Spring and Autumn are also both hot, although there is also more chance of rain, during that time.

History and Culture

Inhabited since around 6000 BC, there has been sporadic evidence of humans as far back as the Palaeolithic period. During antiquity the Phoenicians encroached upon the island, leading the islanders to turn to Carthage for help, becoming a vassal state until the Punic wars, where the Romans destroyed Carthage and took control of Sardinia. Upon the collapse of the empire, Sardinia, managed to avoid occupation by the invading Arab tribes that conquered many of the other islands in the Mediterranean. It remained independent during the medieval period, although it was politically allied to the Genoese city state. Sardinia tried to remain independent throughout the growth of large kingdoms in Europe, although that became difficult and it was eventually conquered by the Spaniards and became a part of the Kingdom of Aragon. It remained a part of the Spanish Crown until the Spanish Was or Succession, in 1708, when it became a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was then awarded to the Dukes of Savoy at the Treaty of London and remained an independent kingdom, (apart from a brief spell under Napoleon), until it joined the kingdom of Italy in 1861.

Cuisine

Traditional Sardinian cuisine is a mixture of seafood and preserved meats
that come from the rich agrarian tradition on the island. Visitors can enjoy
dishes such as ‘Pani Frattau’ a traditional Sardinian pizza that is topped off
with a poached egg; ‘maialetto’ a slow roasted piglet that is beautifully
succulent; zuppa gallurese is a traditional Sardinian soup; while fregola, are
small balls of pasta that are dressed using either seafood or meat. The island
is equally good for deserts, including seadas, a delicious fritter flavoured
with cheese and honey. Sardinia is also renowned for the quality of its wines,
with Carginano and Cannonau, both excellent reds and Malvasia a pudding wine
that goes well with deserts, to top off your
romantic
holiday away.

Family Activities

The island offers the perfect combination of activities that the entire
family can enjoy. It has a dramatic landscape, with a hilly mountainous region
in the centre and sandy beaches on the edges, making it ideal for active
families who want to get out and about. There are numerous mountain trails,
which can be walked or biked, while sheltered capes such as Capo Teste are the
ideal place for children to play safely during the
family holiday.

Tours and Attractions

With its incredible sites the island has a rich history that dates back to the Bronze Age and is literally dotted with evidence of that, including: The Bronze Age Fortress of Su Nuraxi and the Giant’s Grave. This coupled with places of stunning natural beauty like the stalactite cave, Neptune’s Grotto and the impressive Gorropu Gorge ensure that there is plenty to see, while you are there. Sardinia is also famed for the quality of its beaches, with Cala Luna and Capo Teste considered especially good.

Entertainment

The island has a more refined atmosphere with trendy clubs in some of the larger destinations, with Olbia and the capital Cagliari considered especially good. If you are planning an evening out in Cagliari, then the place to go is the citadel area, which has become very fashionable over recent years. If you want a more traditional Sardinian night, then head to the coast with friends or family and enjoy a relaxing stroll, followed by a delicious meal and a drink gazing out to sea.

Shopping

Like most places in Italy, is it great for those who like to buy local food produce, with a plethora of local specialities to enjoy, such as: local wine or pecorino cheese, a salty local speciality that is a bit like parmesan. There are plenty of open-air markets on the islands including the Mercato San Benedetto in Cagliari and the Mercato Civico in Piazza, where visitors can purchase a variety of great local items. The best place to shop is Cagliari, with Largo Carlo Felice and Via Roma crammed full of shops selling fashion, jewellery and much, much more.